Questions or Comments

How to Choose The Best Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgeon in Palm Springs

Tag Archives: Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery is a major decision that the patient will have to live with for a number of years, if not her entire lifetime.

Therefore, it is crucial to choose a well-qualified and experienced breast surgeon for this procedure. A woman can achieve a higher level of self-esteem and personal confidence with breast augmentation surgery.

But in the hands of an inexperienced plastic surgeon, a patient faces the possibility of poor outcomes which can lead to disappointment and the investment of additional time and money in revision surgery.

Choosing an ABPS Board Certified Surgeon

Making sure that the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has certified your plastic surgeon is essential. Many patients believe that state boards offer them a reliable way to ensure that the surgeon they choose is qualified to perform the surgeries they advertise.

However, it is not a state government requirement for a surgeon to be trained in the specific procedures that they offer to patients.

This makes it vital for a woman to choose a breast augmentation surgeon with an ABPS board certification in plastic surgery. These surgeons must undergo a specific minimum number of years of training in surgery after medical school along with completing at least two years of plastic surgery residency training to acquire this prestigious certification.

Personal Rapport and Comfort Level

It is also essential for the patient to understand how the surgeon and their staff make her feel. Any surgery carries an inherent risk of complications which may cause impediments in the woman’s path to achieving her desired breast augmentation results.

She must feel completely comfortable with her plastic surgeon and their staff. Therefore, the patient must choose a breast surgeon whom she trusts and feels entirely comfortable with.

The patient should ask themselves the following questions:

How do I feel when spending time with this plastic surgeon?

Do I have trust in this plastic surgeon to guide me on effective and safe procedures?

Am I comfortable enough to openly ask this surgeon any questions or express concerns that I may have throughout the breast augmentation surgery process?

Will I be able to comfortably disclose my entire health history and behaviors to this breast surgeon?

Ask Questions during the Consultation

During the initial consultation with the surgeon, the patient should ideally go into the meeting with a ready list of questions. Some areas that the patient can seek answers from the surgeon during the initial consultation are:

Information on the surgeon’s certifications and background

Surgical facility where the procedure will be carried out (ensure that the breast augmentation is performed at an accredited private surgery suite, surgical center or hospital)

Emergency procedures

Risks and complications involved in breast enhancement surgery

The number of breast augmentation procedures that the surgeon has undertaken in the past

Other alternatives for breast enhancement

Before and after images of previous patients (they may have more pictures to see in the office than what is available on the public website – these pictures on the site can be seen anywhere someone can gain Internet access which is lots of places to say the least)

If the patient feels that the surgeon is not transparent or forthcoming in providing her the necessary information on these aspects, she should step back and reconsider her choice of a plastic surgeon for her breast augmentation surgery.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

A thorough pre-operative preparation will create a safe foundation for a major procedure such as breast augmentation cosmetic surgery.

The surgeon will provide guidelines for preparation to the patient during the initial consultation. Board certified plastic surgeonDr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) provides breast augmentation to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities in this area of The Golden State.

Evaluation of Aesthetic Goals

It is important for a woman seeking breast augmentation to evaluate her reasons for considering this enhancement procedure. The woman is the best judge of her reasons for seeking this procedure. Furthermore, she is the only person who can accurately assess her deep-seated cosmetic desires and goals.

Breast augmentation plastic surgery procedure is a personal journey for the patient, and she should not undergo this procedure under any kind of influence of pressure. The woman should be completely clear regarding her needs from the surgery, and learn about the procedure at the surgeon’s website before setting up an appointment with their office.

Online Forums and Websites

A good way to obtain practical and real-world insights on breast augmentation is to connect with women who have received breast implants already. Online breast augmentation forums allow patients who have undergone breast augmentation and women who are considering it to connect and interact with each other and learn from other’s experiences.

In such forums, patients may answer questions on their experiences with breast augmentation and their feelings post-surgery. Prospective patients can learn about the preparatory steps and receive answers to their doubts and concerns from a supportive online community.

Real experiences of patients who have undergone breast augmentation allow potential patients to understand whether the procedure is suitable for them.

Ideal Candidates

The plastic surgeon will evaluate the patient as a candidate for breast augmentation before recommending them for this surgery. The patient should maintain good fitness levels, consume a balanced diet, and ensure that her body weight remains stable.

The woman should not have any near-term pregnancy or weight-reduction plans. This may cause disruptions in the outcomes of the breast augmentation surgery. The patient can also see breast enhancement before and after images during their consultation with the surgeon to develop realistic expectations from the surgery.

Preparatory Steps before the Surgery

The patient should follow the below mentioned guidelines prior to the breast augmentation surgery:

Discontinue the use of blood thinners, anti-inflammatory meds, vitamins and herbal supplements for a minimum of two weeks prior to the procedure.

Alter the prescription medication schedule according to the surgeon’s recommendation in consultation with the primary care physician.

Avoid smoking for a specific duration before the surgery as advised by the plastic surgeon.

Enlist someone responsible to drive her back home and arrange aftercare for the initial few days after the procedure for a relaxed and more comfortable recovery phase.

Disclosures about Your Medical Condition

The patient should be in good health to receive any surgical procedure. The patient should make sure that the surgeon knows if she has an autoimmune condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other condition that can affect her capability to heal from the procedure.

The surgeon will also inform the patient if she needs to avoid any medication that she is currently taking before the breast augmentation procedure. Successful cosmetic surgeon Dr. Q receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and other towns and cities in this region of the state.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

Breast augmentation is a major cosmetic surgery procedure that will dramatically enhance a patient’s breast appearance. It is vital for a patient to choose a surgeon with the right qualifications and experience to minimize her chances of complications from surgery.

Post-Op Complications

The complications arising from breast enhancement plastic surgery range in severity. A majority of patients may receive additional surgery at some juncture in the normal course of life to replace their implants. However, untimely or unexpected complications may include:

Capsular Contracture

When the body recovers following breast augmentation, scar tissue known as capsule develops naturally around the implant. The capsule may contract which will exert excessive strain on the implant.

This will lead to discomfort, pain, breast hardening, or a misshapen breast. The surgeon may recommend the placement of the implant beneath the pectoral muscle to prevent the occurrence of capsular contracture.

The “Baker Grading System” establishes the severity level of the capsular contracture ranging from grades one through four with four being the most severe. To address this condition, the surgeon will carry out either an open capsulotomy to dislodge the scar tissue or a capsulectomy to excise the scar tissue entirely.

Rippling

In rippling, the breast implant becomes folded or wrinkled which causes the breast to appear misshapen on the surface. The surgeon may recommend the placement of a silicone-gel implant so that the implant does not move around freely, or a smooth-surfaced implant to prevent rippling.

Infection

Any type of surgery has an inherent risk of infection, including breast augmentation surgery. In case the patient has a fever or notices redness, tenderness, or inflammation in the breasts, an infection may be the reason behind it.

Hematoma

Hematoma (bruising) is the accumulation of blood which can cause complications in the breast implant, including capsular contracture and infection. Some bruising after breast enhancement surgery is normal. But in case of excessive bruising, the surgeon may need to drain it to ensure proper healing.

Numbness or Sensitive Nipples

Certain patients experience loss in nipple sensation or intense nipple sensation for years following breast implant surgery. This occurs when the nerve pathways sustain damage during the breast augmentation procedure.

Displacement

It is extremely rare for patients to experience displacement or moving of the implant from its original location. However, in some patients, it occurs in the days after the enhancement procedure. Women with large implants are more susceptible to this risk. Displacement will require surgical intervention.

Implant Rupture

Saline or silicone breast implants pose a risk of implant rupture. Silicone implants do not present any apparent signs of rupture. Therefore, the patient may have to undergo routine MRI checkups. But in case the saline implant ruptures, it will lead to rapid leakage, and the breast will deflate quickly making it very noticeable to the patient.

Interference with Mammograms

Breast implants may lead to obstruction in a mammogram because the x-ray machine cannot capture anything beneath the implant. The surgeon may recommend breast implant placement underneath the pectoral muscle. The patient should inform the mammogram technician of the presence of implants so that they can make the necessary adjustments.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery can increase the size of a woman’s breasts giving her a more voluptuous figure and enhancing her self-confidence.

Breast augmentation usually produces long-lasting outcomes. The patient should meticulously research all aspects of the surgery before going ahead with the breast enhancement procedure.

Prior to the surgery, the patient should have clarity on how the surgery is performed, what are the possible risks of complications and what is the recovery duration. She should also learn more about the surgeon’s background and credentials to feel more confident on their decision about the breast augmentation.

The patient should ideally enlist any questions and concerns that she has beforehand and carry this list to the breast surgeon’s office for the consultation appointment. Kind board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) provides breast augmentation to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities across the horizon.

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Plastic Surgeon

After the patient has made a decision to undergo the breast enhancement surgery, identifying the most suitable surgeon is a crucial decision. She may ask the surgeon the following questions during the initial consultation:

Are you a certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

When a patient chooses a board certified plastic surgeon, she has an automatic assurance that the surgeon is well-trained in the area of plastic surgery and has passed rigorous standards to be certified.

Plastic surgery is a vast field with various types of surgical procedures. While a surgeon may be excellent at certain types of procedures, they may not necessarily have the expertise to perform breast augmentation surgery.

What is the rate of post-op complications in surgeries that you perform, and what types of complications occur most commonly?

While breast augmentation is a low-risk surgery, complications from the procedure do arise. Capsular contracture is a common complication along with the rejection of the implant by the body. The patient should confirm the plastic surgeon’s success rate in breast augmentation procedures before going ahead with the surgery.

Questions to Ask after Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

After the patient chooses a plastic surgeon for her breast augmentation procedure, she should still actively participate in her surgical planning process. Furthermore, the patient should ask the following questions for more desirable results and a quicker recovery:

Do you recommend saline or silicone implants?

Choosing the right implant type is essential. Surgeons have varying opinions on which type of implant is better. Regardless, the patient should have an input in the decision on implants. Therefore, she should ask her surgeon to enumerate the advantages and limitations of each implant type.

What size, shape, and texture do you recommend?

Breast implants are individualized for every patient. The determination of the best implant type for a particular patient depends on her natural breast size, desired results, and skin thickness. The patient should have a say in this decision.

Where will you place the incisions?

Breast augmentation has four standard incision patterns. Each incision is cautiously planned and placed to make sure that any potential scarring is minimally visible. The surgeon will choose an incision type depending on the patient’s implant, body type, and breast size.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

The patient should undergo a detailed consultation with the surgeon of her choice prior to a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery procedure.

The consultation process allows the patient to share her aesthetic needs and expectations from the surgery with the surgeon.

Furthermore, the consultation offers the patient and the surgeon an opportunity to discuss key aspects such as shape, size, implant type, and incision placement. Successful board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) provides breast augmentation to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities in this part of the state.

Importance of the Pre-op Consultation

The pre-op consultation will lay the foundation for a successful breast augmentation plastic surgery. The surgeon will provide the patient with pre- and post-operative guidelines to help ensure a safe surgery and recovery. The patient should diligently follow these instructions to mitigate the risks of complications during or after the breast augmentation surgery.

The overall outcomes of the breast enhancement procedure will be impacted by the decisions a woman makes at the time of initial consultation. Therefore, it is vital that patients understand their options well prior to going ahead with the surgery.

During the pre-op consultation, a well-qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon will explain in-depth every facet of the enhancement procedure in clear language that a patient can fully comprehend. They will thoroughly address any questions or concerns that the patient may have regarding the breast implant surgery.

Key Points of Discussion during Consultation

The patient should openly discuss various important aspects during the consultation process. Transparent and open communication will lead to a productive consultation process.

What precisely about the appearance of the breasts is unsatisfactory to the patient? What are her reasons to consider breast implants?

What are the expectations of the patient from the surgery, and what kind of results does she seek?

Details on all prescription and non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins that the patient presently takes.

Smoking and drinking behaviors.

Family or personal history of breast cancer.

Reports of past biopsies or mammograms.

The surgeon will provide the patient with information regarding the risks and complications involved in breast augmentation cosmetic surgery to help them make a salient choice.

She may need to go through a detailed breast examination which includes measurements of breast shape and size, breast skin elasticity, skin type, and position and shape of the nipples and areolas. During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon may also take pictures of the candidate’s breasts for record purposes.

Customized Surgical Planning

The surgeon will provide in-depth details to the patient about the various breast implant options available to her to help her make an informed decision. The surgeon and patient will discuss and finalize some of the below-mentioned aspects:

Incision location

Implant Placement over or underneath the pectoral muscle

Choosing between silicone, saline, and gummy bear breast implants

Smooth vs. textured implants

Determining the implant size ranging from 120 cc to 960 cc

Round vs. anatomical implant shape

Developing Realistic Expectations

The surgeon may show the patient before and after pictures of previous breast augmentation surgeries to enable them to develop realistic expectations from the surgery.

Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Q receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and other towns and suburbs in this area of California for breast augmentation surgery.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

Need for Breast Augmentation

Create more symmetry between breasts that are shaped and sized differently

Feel more appealing and feminine

Replace lost fullness of the breasts following pregnancy, nursing, or weight loss

Treat congenital deformities in one or both the breasts

Enhance confidence and body image

Add fullness to breasts that were unable to develop completely after puberty (micromastia)

After the patient understands the advantages, risks, and costs associated with breast augmentation plastic surgery, her candidacy for the procedure will depend on her overall health, goals, and realistic expectations.

Health Requirements

Any surgical procedure requires the patient to be in good overall health. The patient should candidly inform the surgeon of any pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or another issue that could impact their ability to recover from the procedure.

The surgeon may require the patient to adjust the schedule of any medicines that she may be taking that could affect the breast augmentation surgery.

Attributes of an Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for a breast enhancement surgery could be as follows:

A non-smoker or be willing to stop smoking for a specific period before and after the breast augmentation surgery

Near her ideal weight range and reasonably fit

Not have bleeding tendencies and infections

Willing to avoid or reduce alcohol intake during the recovery phase

Not pregnant or breastfeeding at present

Not have any cancerous and pre-cancerous breast tissue

Age Requirements

The FDA has approved silicone breast implants to be used for breast augmentation. However, it has stipulated that only women aged 22 years or more may receive breast enhancement using silicone implants. The same restriction extends to gummy bear (ultra-cohesive gel) implants too.

But women aged 18 and above can receive saline breast implants. Women below the age of 18 can undergo breast implant surgery only in exceptional cases, such as the treatment of breast injuries, breast reconstruction following mastectomy, or correction of congenital deformities.

Developing Realistic Goals and Expectations

In addition to good overall health, ideal candidates for breast enhancement procedures are knowledgeable about the surgery and have realistic expectations from the outcomes of the surgery while being completely aware of the possible risks and side effects.

A woman considering breast implant surgery should undergo the procedure for her own reasons rather than under any type of pressure. Breast augmentation may be a suitable procedure for adult women who are sure of their reasons to receive the surgery.

Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Q receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and other neighborhoods and communities in this section of the Golden State for breast augmentation surgery.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

Double Points Ends August 28th

With Dr. Q, It’s All About You!

Dr. Quardt will spend as much time as you need talking with you about your desires and personalizing your treatment plan. During your consultation, she will discuss your expectations, whether you are a good candidate for the procedures you’re considering, and what to expect during and after your procedure. With Dr. Q, it’s all about you.

We Celebrate Mother’s for The Entire Month of May with Special Pricing on Surgery Procedures

Summer Special Pricing

* Surgery must be booked before the end of May and scheduled by the end of July 2014

Giving birth can be one of life’s greatest joys, but the physical effects of childbirth and then later caring for your child often requires many sacrifices that leaves little time to take care of yourself. During the Month of May we want to celebrate all the love a Mother gives and give some back in return with special pricing on Mommy Makeover surgeries.

At Dr. Q Plastic Surgery, we offer fully customized Mommy Makeover packages that are specifically designed to restore areas of a Mother’s body and face that may not feel the same as they were before childbirth. Some of the most common procedures requested by Mothers are:

Breast augmentation to enhance small breasts or to fill in loose skin, Dr. Q is the only Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the area who offers the new, Sientra, highly cohesive gel (gummy bear) implant at a reduced price

With Dr. Q, It’s All About You!

Dr. Quardt will spend as much time as you need talking with you about your desires and personalizing your treatment plan. During your consultation, she will discuss your expectations, whether you are a good candidate for the mommy makeover procedures you’re considering, and what to expect during and after surgery, including potential side effects.

Motherhood can be a beautiful, life-changing transformation, as you watch your precious infant grow while showering him/ her with every ounce of affection. All beautiful things come at a cost, and this one sure does! Through childbirth, your body has transformed through a series of stages, leaving it in a state that your youth-self would have probably not be that proud of. Needless to say, you can enjoy your motherhood while getting back in shape, through a simple mommy makeover plastic surgery. Dr. Suzanne Quardt, an experienced plastic surgeon of Palm Springs, says that a growing number of moms are undergoing these makeover surgeries today as they don’t want motherhood to mark the end of their youthful days. Here are some common surgeries that women today undergo as part of their mommy makeover routine.

Breast augmentation

The breasts can reduce in volume or sag, post-pregnancy. Either way, breast augmentation can help in making the breasts appear fuller and firmer. During a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery, the cosmetic surgeon places implants(silicone or saline) in the breast area. This makes the breasts appear more voluminous. The surgery lasts for about one or two hours. Soreness and bruising are common occurrences post-surgery, you should be able to resume your regular activities within two weeks. Although its results are permanent, it may require replacement, a few years down the line.

Breast lift

If you’re dead against implants as they make you feel uncomfortable, you could probably look at getting a breast lift. This plastic surgery, helps in dealing with poorly shaped, droopy breasts. During the procedure, excess droopy skin is removed, while the breast tissues are lifted, along with the nipples/ areolae being repositioned or reduced. The surgery can take anywhere between one and half hours to three hours. The results are permanent, although gravity can have a mean way of showing them down with time. You can get back to your everyday routine within one or two weeks after surgery.

Tummy tuck

During a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon removes any excess skin in the abdominal area. He may move around the navel so it suits the surgically operated abdomen, along with firming up the walls to strengthen the abdominal muscles. The surgery could take two to five hours. The recovery takes time, although you will notice a dramatic difference in your tummy, one you get the surgery.

Liposuction

If diets and exercises are not making a difference to your fat issues, liposuction could be the key to look better. A liposuction involves draining out excess fat from the body. As inviting as that sounds, you don’t have to get all worked up, as the procedure isn’t all that gory. Advanced technology and equipments have enabled the use of laser and ultrasound to breakdown the fat during liposuction. The surgery can take anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours, based on how many areas you’re getting treated through the surgery. You may have to put on compression garments to reduce the swelling after surgery. While you may experience soreness in the days following surgery, you can start appreciating the results of the surgery within three months.

Breast Implants -Your Choices

Dr. Suzanne M. Quardt, or Dr. Q as she is known to her patients, is an aesthetic fellowship trained, board certified plastic surgeon. She provides state of the art cosmetic surgery procedures for the breast, body and face at her Rancho Mirage office. Patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and surrounding areas have an opportunity to receive advanced surgical procedures from Dr. Q. She has earned a number of recognitions for her contributions as a cosmetic surgeon. She has also been featured in national publications such as New Beauty Magazine and Plastic Surgery Practice.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery has become one of the most sought after cosmetic surgery procedures in recent years. With improved qualities of breast implants, it is possible to achieve fuller breasts with a natural look and feel. Dr. Q provides both saline and silicone gel breast implant options to her patients and helps them make appropriate choices according to their aesthetic needs.

Breast augmentation is not only useful from a cosmetic perspective to enhance the size of breasts, but it may also help restore breasts following a mastectomy or breast tissue injury. Moderate conditions of asymmetrical breasts may also be corrected with breast implants. Patients in and around Palm Springs and Palm Desert can receive breast implant surgery from Dr. Q using the latest qualities of implants.

Breast Lift

For some women, the breast size may be appropriate, but the breasts may droop heavily due to aging, heredity, gravity, weight loss or other factors. In such cases, breast lift surgery may be an effective way to raise the breasts to make them appear firmer and more youthful. If the nipples are pointing downwards, the plastic surgeon may reposition the nipples and areolas to a more appropriate location.

In some cases, Dr. Q may recommend a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift surgery for her patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and nearby areas. Breast lift surgery may also be used to reduce the size of areolas if they have become excessively enlarged.

Silicone vs Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with a saline solution, while silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Both types of implants are FDA approved and used widely by patients looking to enhance their breast appearance with plastic surgery. Saline implants have an advantage that in case of implant rupture, the saline solution is naturally absorbed in the body because it is a biocompatible filler. However, the look, touch, and feel of saline implants may not appeal to some patients who are looking for more aesthetic results.

As an experienced cosmetic surgeon for breast implants, Dr. Q recommends advanced qualities of silicone implants in such cases. The advantage with silicone implants is that they mimic the natural breast tissue more closely in look, touch, and feel. Dr. Q has introduced highly cohesive gel based Sientra silicone implants to her patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

These advanced quality implants are very safe because the silicone gel contained in the implant is so highly viscous that it does not seep through the implant shell even in the case of an implant rupture. Highly cohesive gel makes the implant aesthetically superior and safer at the same time. Only trained or board certified plastic surgeons can get access to Sientra implants. Dr. Q makes sure that her patients receive only FDA approved implant qualities for long term effectiveness and safety.

Other Implant Types

Sientra implants are based on Gummy Bear implant technology, which makes use of highly cohesive silicone gel for best results. Dr. Q makes an endeavor to provide the latest, proven, and cutting-edge technologies to her patients so that they can achieve desired outcomes in the most effective ways. Sientra is one of the latest introductions at Dr. Q’s office.

The other quality of implants available with Dr. Q is Allergan Natrelle. Natrelle breast implants are produced by Allergan, Inc., which is a renowned, California-based company producing innovative medical products and devices, including Botox and Juvederm dermal filler. Allergan Natrelle is an advanced cohesive gel implant that Dr. Q provides at her practice.